timothy-79 Reviews

A Night in Casablanca (1946)

The Marx Brothers film that made me a fan

[10/10 · 30 September 2008]

Reading some folks comments on this movie I see that many Marx Bros. fans don't rate this as one of their better efforts, and I have to say that surprises me. When I was just 12 years old my dad took me to see a double bill- "Love Happy" and "A Night in Casablanca"- and I have to say that I loved them both. They are the 2 Marx Bros. movies that won me over forever and I have to say I've never seen one of their movies that I liked better. I recently used "A Night in Casablanca" to introduce some friends of mine(especially their pre-teen kids, who had become Laurel and Hardy fans) to the Marxes. It's as good an introduction to them as any of their films and I'd certainly recommend it to anyone. It employs a number of hilarious routines plus offers up samples of Harpo's and Chico's musical talents. Anyone who is a fan of classic cinema, comedy or otherwise, ought to get a taste of the fact that Harpo and Chico were both accomplished musicians and get a look at Chico's classic trick piano playing routine.

Tim

The Rockford Files (1974–1980)

One of my all time favorite shows

[10/10 · 2 March 2007]

This was really a great TV show. Too bad it didn't run a bit longer- I believe I've read that there were problems between James Garner and the producers that caused it to be canceled before it's time. I can't put my finger on just what it is that makes this show stand out from other shows. I just always find myself having fun watching pretty much any of the episodes. Years after this show went off the air they started making Rockford File TV movies, starting in around 1994. Oddly enough working as a union carpenter I found myself working on building the now bigger and fancier trailer for the first of those TV movies. We were running right up to the wire on completing the set, to the point that they had to begin filming while we were still working on the inside of the trailer. Right next to where I was working were James Garner, Joe Santos and Stuart Margolin, hanging out and chatting while sitting on the couch. They shot a scene with Garner yelling out the door to Margolin, who was about to run off with Rockford's car. I have to say it was a bit surreal. After years of watching Rockford Files during it's original run and then later in syndication, there I found myself right in the middle of the action.

Anyway I urge anyone who isn't familiar with this show and so skips over it when channel surfing to give it a shot. It's really a classic show, and for good reason.